Council hears AJK Mankato rezoning and annexation plan; public hearing continued to Oct. 14, council approves plat and annexation items

The Mankato City Council received a staff report Sept. 22 on a multifaceted application from AJK Mankato seeking rezoning from agricultural transition to M1 light industrial, annexation, a final plat and a conditional use permit for a proposed 36,400‑square‑foot facility on a 13.387‑acre site at County State Aid Highway 12 and 220 Seventh Street.

Staff said Lot 1 would be a showroom/warehouse for a carpet retailer (about 3.312 acres) and Lot 2 (about 10.075 acres) was proposed for later redevelopment; the applicant anticipates 23 employees and weekday hours of roughly 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Staff also identified sanitary sewer availability as a constraint and indicated Lot 2 will be modified and resubmitted as a later phase.

Because of a technical error in publication of the hearing notice, staff and the city attorney advised the council to continue the public hearing to Oct. 14 to allow republishing of the notice. The council voted to continue the hearing to Oct. 14.

Separately during the same item the council moved, seconded and voted to approve a resolution, the final plat and the annexation as presented on the record; staff noted the hearing would be continued later due to the notice issue. The council recorded roll call affirmatives for the motion. No members recorded a dissent on the record.

Next steps: The public hearing will be reconvened on Oct. 14 to address the notice error and allow additional public input. Staff and the applicant will address sanitary sewer conditions and resubmission of Lot 2 materials prior to any phase 2 approval.